I Told You So

Ch. 2 Chores

Disclaimer: I own nothing...

Ever since Suki and Hakoda had reunited with their friends and loved ones the plans for traveling back into the fire nation in time for Sozin's Comet had taken precedence over more mundane things. Training for benders and non-benders alike had intensified.

Aang regularly pitted himself against his three teachers, continuing to improve is mastery over the elements. In the beginning the forces of Toph, Katara, and Zuko had nearly overwhelmed him; now he recognized and exploited their weaknesses to opposing elements almost without thought. Haru would often join in. He would never reach Toph's level of mastery but under her strict, and somewhat painful tutelage, he had gained skills that would rival those of the notorious Dai Lee.

Suki had resumed her training in the forms of the Kyoshi warriors. Sokka and Hakoda were quick to join her and the three could often be heard discussing advantages of different fighting techniques and weapon designs. When Zuko wasn't helping Aang with fire-bending he continued training with his Dao swords. To everyone's shock and amazement he and Hakoda struck up an odd friendship.

Even Teo and the Duke found themselves busy; one drawing up new plans and formulas and the other acting as a warning beacon whenever it seemed like things wouldn't go quite as planned. After a few explosions sent things flying – and Sokka once again being the victim, having narrowly missed a flying wheel cog to the head – everyone learned that when the Duke yelled 'DUCK AND COVER!' he meant it.

But alas, all was not perfect in paradise, such as it was. From the vast corridors of the Air temple were coming the angry mutterings of an extremely annoyed waterbender as she hauled a load of dirty clothes to the washroom.

"Those inconsiderate, lazy, good-for-nothings," she knew it couldn't be helped that few chores got neglected in the bustle and hum of their vigorous schedule. But Katara simply couldn't comprehend how all the chores had fallen to the wayside. "If they spent as much time training as they did coming up with excuses for their chores we'd be ready for the Fire Lord yesterday."

The events of that morning had nearly sent her over the edge.

Toph had been as nonchalant as ever.

"Take it easy Sugar Queen. Revel in the chaos for once in your life. You might even enjoy it."

"I don't have time to 'Revel in the Chaos'," she retorted, useless finger quotes and all. "Who else is going to make sure you eat off a clean plate everyday, or even eat at all?!"

"Beats me. Personally I think all that old crust on the plates just adds to the flavor anyway."

Caught between anger and disgust Katara had stomped off only to bump into Sokka a few steps away.

"Hey Katara. Have you seen Zuko around? We were supposed to spar today."

"What am I, his babysitter?"

"I jut thought-"

"You thought wrong," was the quick cut off as she went to push past him. But Sokka just couldn't resist taking things just one step forward, however hazardous to his health that step might be.

"You're not still mad at him for that whole dragonleaf thing are you?" he said, leaning in suddenly with that crazy quirk in his eyes.

Deep breaths Katara. Stay calm. There is no need to overreact. Standing with jaws clenched and eyes closed as she faced away from him.

"No. I am not."

"Oh. Well great," it was fascinating how fast his moods and suspicions changed. "So when are you going to do laundry, 'cause I'm all out of socks."

"That's it! I've had enough of all of you demanding more and more and MORE and never contributing anything around here! You want clean clothes? Fine. Here," that said she drew water from a nearby fountain and flung it against Sokka, drenching him with the sudden torrent, "Happy now?"

Without any further comment she spun on her heel and walked away just as Hakoda and Suki walked up.

"What happened son?" asked Hakoda?

"I just asked her when she was going to do the laundry," was the dumbfounded reply.

"Guess you got your answer then," said Suki, smiling unabashedly at his drippy appearance, "maybe Aang will come around later and finish the job."

"Oh yeah. Ha, ha. Laugh. It's just sooo amusing."

Hakoda and Suki weren't able to contain their laughter at the sarcasm in his tone and they walked away laughing; Hakoda clapping him soundly on the back while Suki gave a wink and a quick peck on the cheek. Sokka was left standing bereft and dripping. And still whining.

"But she didn't even use soap!"

"Need some help drying off Sokka?" asked Aang as he walked up suddenly. With an audible smack to his forehead Sokka simply let out a huge sigh and stomped off in the opposite direction.

So much for the good it did me, thought Katara. In the end sense of responsibility and the fact she couldn't stand seeing everything in such a state of dinginess and disarray won out her earlier claims. In a sudden whirlwind of activity Katara had tackled the rising mound of dirty dishes, aired out their sleeping gear and started organizing their packs for their upcoming journey. She lad left the laundry last, hence the armful of assorted clothing.

"They could have at least left it by the washroom, those lazy bums. Instead I have to go room to room and carry around their smelly laundry."

As she approached the designated washroom Katara realized she wasn't the only one catching up on chores after all. Zuko was bent over one of the tubs up to his elbows in soapy water. Shirtless and barefoot, he had a look of extreme concentration as he proceeded scrubbing.

"Well, well, well," she said, coming in and dumping her own load by another tub, "the Prince of the Fire Nation: doing laundry like an ordinary present."

Startled out of his concentration Zuko looked up to see Katara standing by her own tub already bending in a portion of water.

"Former prince," he corrected her, "and it isn't like I had much choice. These were the last clean things I had," indicating the black long shorts he was wearing before he resumed his scrubbing, with perhaps a bit more vigor than the task demanded.

"Whatever. It's nice to see that someone around here is pulling their own weight."

They then lapsed into silence, each absorbed in their work.

Every now and then Katara would sneak a glance at Zuko. Lacking the ability to waterbend, the chore was harder for him than her. Despite herself Katara had to grudgingly respect his willingness to work. She still didn't trust him entirely, despite the part he had played in rescuing her father and Suki, but it was getting harder to keep up the cold vindictiveness she had felt towards him in the beginning.

"So how did you get stuck doing everyone's laundry?"

Katara's string of thought broken she just stared blankly back at Zuko.

"Its just…well, it doesn't seem fair. You train as hard as the rest of us and you do all this," continued Zuko haltingly.

"I don't know," came her own startled reply, "seems like I've always done it. Guess I've just gotten used to mothering people. And its not like they're going to do it themselves."

"Oh."

Soon enough they were both finished; Katara completing the task at the same time as Zuko despite having started later. She gathered her wet load together and proceeded to the courtyard to string everything up to dry. As she did she noticed Zuko had laid his things out on some flat rocks and was warming them with his fire-bending. Guessing at what he was trying to do Katara shook her head.

"It will never work Zuko. I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"The heat will dry it faster this way, and I want to get this over with. This isn't exactly my idea of a good time."

"You're going to end up shrinking them. Sudden heat will do that to wet clothes."

"That's ridiculous. Heat doesn't shrink things."

"Oh, really. And this comes from your vast experience doing laundry?"

"No. Well…it just…it just seemed logical. Heat evaporates moisture."

"It's not going to work."

"Yes, it will."

"No, it won't."

"Yes, it will."

"Ok then. Do it your way but don't come crying over to me when your clothes won't fit." That said she finished hanging everything and walked off to start the night's meal, leaving Zuko to continue heating the rocks.

Later that night everyone was settling down to eat. Ever since the dragonleaf incident Katara had been more careful with how she seasoned the food and was becoming quite adept at using the native spices. The idle chatter stopped suddenly as everyone turned to look at the figure that emerged into the firelight. There stood Zuko, his formerly baggy shirt and pants now seemed ridiculously small. The hem of his pants was a good three inches above his ankles and his shirt, aside from barely reaching the waistband of his pants, refused to close in the front and looked more like it belonged to the Duke rather than a mostly grown man. Moving stiffly and straining the seams with every step he proceeded to walk over to the circle and sit down with as much dignity as he could muster. The effect was entirely lost as a loud ripping sound became audible as he was sitting.

With a sudden roar everyone was laughing and rolling in their seat. With the exception of Toph.

"Alright, someone let me in on the joke please; apparently it's something I'd need to see to appreciate."

Gasping for air Sokka attempted to answer her.

"Its…hee hee….ZUKO…haha…his clothes….they SHRUNK!"

"Oh man…first funny thing to happen around here in weeks and I can't even enjoy it!"

"Going for a new look Zuko?" joked Aang.

"Everyone will really be scared of you now," said Suki, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

Even Hakoda couldn't resist picking on his young friend, "I think you're somewhat confused about your size there boy."

Zuko could feel his face burning. For a moment he wished that the ground would just swallow him up right then and there. He dreaded the look he knew would be in Katara's face and tried to avoid even glancing in her direction. Unfortunately, she came to him, bringing along his bowl, waiting for his gaze to meet her own. One look at the amusement dancing in her eyes and he knew what she was going to say next.

"I told you so."

His attempt at speech only invited more laughter. Gathering together the last scraps of his dignity he picked up his bowl and made his way towards his own quarters.

"We'll be sure to pick up some new clothes before we head out again," Katara's voice called after him.

The food that night seemed especially good.

Ok so that is the end of chapter two. I've already got ideas for the next one. My thanks to everyone who's reviewed, you are awsome in the extreme. :) Let me know your thoughts once again. I'm afraid this one might have gotten too wordy. :))